The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-29
Y'SCANDIDATE FOR MAYOR
What the Election of Edenharter Means
to the Gang and the Public.
If He Wins the Liquor League and the Tally
Sheet Forgers Will Have Control of
Municipal Affairs-P0litical Talk.

several hypocrtical Efforts among Democrats
who denounce Coy and his gang to relieve him.
self Of any responsibility to the little boss but
whenever he was in a portion of the city where
gang influence prevailed, he readily and sub
missively acknowledged fealty to his political
creator. The canvass for the nomination Eden
harter made under the direction of Coy
from first to last. AS ne coached Sullivan in his
candidacy for the county clerkship. two years
before the election. the little boss has done
with Edeuharter Sullivan and the Doctor are
of the same political brand. Both are indebted
to Coy for political favors, and to speak of
either means his absolute power in controlling
them. For brief space, months ago, Edenharter
thought he could act independently of the gang.
but he received such torrent of abuse
from Coy that since he has played the
1ickspittle in submitting to the instruction of
Coy and the Liquor League. His ambition ever
since ne came from Dayton to Indianapolis,
eight years ago; has been to be- Mayor of the
city. II he ever had any sincere purpose regard
ing decent municipal government 1t has been
sacrificed to the favor of the gang.
Edenharter had not been in the city month
before he began to take an active part in ward
politics, By making terms with Coy he was
four years ago nominated and elected to the
Council through the Liquor League influence
in the Eighth ward. Two years ago he
reelected. and since then he has been in
training the gang candidate for Mayor He
has never made a move without the aid of his
political boss. II knew Edenharter when he
first came here" said politician. ''He was not
doctor then. In the Eighth ward there
were a lot of old Democrats who
took no interest in the primaries and
ie. let things drift along without any
effort to help the party. Coy, seeing the advan-
tage of putting a younger man in charge, found
in Edenharter willing tool The little boss.
with his peculiar methods of conducting prl
maries. had the new man, from Dayton. o.,
nominated. The old Democrats who had man.
aged affairs for years erumbled a great deal.
but finally they fell in line with Coy in sup
porting Edenharter." From that day to this
the Doctor has been the little boss's representa-
tive in the Eighth ward
AS he controls TIE board of County Commits
sioners. the county clerk. sheriff, treasurer and
will, after the first of next month, have practi-
cal charge of the auditors office, SO Coy is seek
ing to bring the city Offices under his influence.
1t has been his boast for two years or more that
he would control the city in the end and whsn
he did have that power he has said time and
pleased Edenharter as Mayor, it is
recognized by those who knew of the obligations
he is under to Coy, would not dare to question
whatever he was told do AS the main
strength of the little boss lies among those peo-
pie who are more less under the surveillance
of the law through the city court, they would be
favored with light punishment or instant
lease. When O'Dornsl was superin tendent of
the notice Coy had that influence to help him out
in distributing favors to his friends, but. de-
prved of it now. he expects to more than count
erbalance the loss by electing himself Mayor
ostensibly under the candidacy of Edenharter
AS Mayor the latter. it is recognized by those
would be practically the presiding officer Of tho
Council He would have the naming of the
boards, each of which would assuredly
sans rhs majority eH eee. favor OF this a 'h is
being talked about generally among citizens,
irrespective of party, who pay taxes and desire
an honest administration of the clty's affairs Ii
is ths prevailing opinion that the various depart
nents under the control of the Council commit
tees and boards appointed by Edenharter would
place the gang in position TO carry out the most
gigantic schemes of corruption. This is the way
is viewed by everybody except those
VINO constitute the gang or are expecting polit-
cal favors from IT. His canvass, backea maj.
sialiy and otherwise by tho Liquor League under
the leadership of Coy. is being made in the sole
assurance that Indianapolis, under him. will be
"a wide open town." which means that crime,
corruption, liquor-seing, gambling, and prosti-
tuition will be rampant.
The gang influence, in having DR.. Fletcher re-
moved from the superintendency of the Insane
Hospital. has turned many good citizens from
Edenharter It is recognized that the same
power that removed DR.. Fletcher because he
aided in exposing the nefarious practices of Har-
.ison and Gapen, is backing Edenharrer. The
'act that Gapen daily violates the trust of his
office trustee of the hospital In being In the
employ of Sullivan. who furnishes supplies to
he institution, is also a matter of comment that
ID having its effect.
A cigar manufacturer On West Washington
street was threatened by saloon men, recently,
With the loss of their trade if he did not SUBJ
cribe to the Coy campaign fun. 81 had to give
{. said he, ''but will not vote for Edenharter
He has been in my place day after day seeking
import from my men, but of the twenty-five l
know of only four who have told him they
would vote for him"
Colonel Downing, Democrat, when police
voted to make ODonnell super
ntendent of the force. When the latter failed
O meet expectations the colonel voted to accept
lis resignation Yesterday the colonel said,
The saloon element in politics ought to be
wiped out and the way to do it is to put $l0.-
100 license on the traffic O'Donn ell ex-super-
ntendent, was too easily handled by outside
Influences. He was failure"
Rogers, once Democratic candidate for town
hip trustee and prominent knight of Labor.
aid yesterday: Now that Shields is dead. the |
asst tie that held the workingman to the Demo |
ratio ticket is gone"
Evening News: els Sim Coy going to be elect
dr. asked Gen. T. A. Morris of News reporter |
his morning.
'Do you mean to the Council again from the
Eighteenth wardm was the cross-ouestion
''No-not that exactly" said Mr. Morris. II
mean is the Coy element in city politics win
{ the coming election? know DR.. Edenhar-
Or. and personally like him. but should be
orry to see him elected Mayor under the exist
Dc circumstances, for the reason that he repre-
ents element which. if it gets control of the
ity government will encourage lawlessness on
ne part of the saloon element, and general de-
loralization.o
Evening News: A Democrat who has grown
ray in the service, and who is out OF employ
tent, on Saturday noon was lamentng the dull
ess of the times and his inability to do any
hing when he was met by a sympathizine
riend, who suggested that, ODonnell had
cen selected to succeed Shields, whose rema ins
ere not yet cold in death, possibly he could get
he clerkship in the Criminal Court. he made
Immediate application only to be informed that
he position had already been given out
There is no questioning but what many Dem
Gratis seriously obiecting TO the selection of
'Donnell, while the friends of Shields are in
tenant that the so.called executive committee